164 AMERICAN CARNATIONS IN ENGLAND 



Of course, watering is done with a hose pipe, and many 

 feed their plants through the hose. 



The marketing of the blooms is an important matter. 

 The highest grade of stock is termed " Specials." These 

 blooms are perfect in every detail. Two dozen blooms are 

 packed in a long, wooden box, these are sent to the com- 

 mission agent, and if the grower is known to be reliable, 

 the boxes are not opened until the retailer has them. The 

 next quality of blooms is termed " Firsts." Many growers 

 bunch these in dozens and send twelve dozen in a box to the 

 commission agent. Naturally, the " Specials " find their 

 way to the high-class florists' shops, and the " Firsts " to 

 second-rate shops for general floral work, and to the street 

 hawker or peddler. In Winter, quite three parts of the 

 stock produced in England is second quahty bloom. It is 

 only the special growers who produce the selected stock. 

 But it pays to grow only " Specials " as far as possible. 

 One may not get quite so many blooms per square yard of 

 bench, but quality pays best. 



One of the main reasons why the Carnation is becoming 

 so popular in England is its great lasting qualities, and it 

 behooves the growers to maintain or improve this quality. 

 Many ladies remark that good blooms often last some six 

 weeks when cut, and while the flower can maintain this 

 reputation, it must make progress. 



Competition at the exhibitions is remarkably keen. 

 There is no detail in the floral art which is neglected. As 

 many as 300 dozen blooms may be used, the decorative 

 exhibit covering a space of about 225 sq. ft. 



Public taste in colors is much broader than in America, 

 and the cry in the leading markets is for a bigger assortment, 

 yet quite half the most popular varieties are of American 

 origin. In whites. White Wonder and White Enchantress 



